Friday, 27 May 2011

The emergance of Neoclassical toiles in the early 19th century

I recently bought a batch of small French toile fragments, some in good condition, others quite worn, but most are documented pieces that I have been able to identify using some of my books. They are mostly early 19th century pieces that either describe the progression in style from Rococo to Neoclassical, or full blown neoclassical design in all its glory. They also exploit the technology of roller printing to its limit, using background texture and pattern to link motifs that used to 'float' like islands on the background fabric because of the constraints of block printing techniques and to a lesser degree plate printing.

Woodblock pelmet c1780

Toile de Nantes La Draperie c.1795

Toile de Nantes 'Socrates a Nantes' c1830

Toile d'Alsace c1810-20

The Flowering cornucopia, Beautrian, Bordeaux c.1790

About Me

I am an obsessive textile addict, funding my 'habit' by unwillingly selling some of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles that I come across. As well as private sales, you can find me on ebay under the name vanye90, or see my ebay shop, Morgaine Le Fay Antique Textiles. A web site may be on the cards soon...
I sell mostly French textiles, but also come across English and European pieces from time to time. I enjoy ferreting out all sorts of interesting items, for example, 19th century French cottons & linens, huge chateau curtains, 18th century silks and embroideries, 16th and 17th century lace (occaisionally, when I can bear to part with them), fine linens, haberdashery as well as unused and pre-used antique and vintage fabrics such as florals, tickings, hemp runners, silks etc for projects such as cushions or pillows, framing, drapes, whatever your imagination can think of!
My new blog, Interesting Antique Textiles will discuss some of my more obscure, strange and often quite damaged textile finds with the hope that people may want to join in the discussions, and make some suggestions about the pieces based on their own experiences and textile knowledge!